Page 111 of The Seeker
“I wish I could bear some of this for you,” Patiala said. “But I am not you. I cannot keep the knowledge as you can. I wish I could.”
“Hopefully Rhys and I can teach the magic to you and father. After all, mated warriors would be the natural practitioners of magic like this.”
“We would be grateful. We would use it wisely.” Patiala squeezed Meera’s shoulders. “Speaking of mated warriors, when do Damien and Sari arrive in New Orleans?”
“Tomorrow morning.”
Patiala smiled. “You and Rhys should go into the city tonight. Stay at your house. Rest and spend some time away from here.”
Meera frowned. “There is still so much to do.”
“Nothing we can’t handle. Go. Enjoy your house. Have some fun. Go dancing.”
Meera hugged her mother. “Thank you.”
“And to answer your earlier question, we go back to Udaipur when you want to return,Somasikara. Your retinue follows you, not the other way round. Being Anamitra’s heir has enough responsibilities. You need to take advantage of the privileges when you can.”
Rhys droveher car back to New Orleans, and Meera tilted the passenger seat back, left the windows down, and reveled in the feeling of the soft breeze threading through her hair. Not even the creepy smile and wave from the old man by the river could spoil her mood. That morning he was wearing a red baseball cap. Was it her imagination, or had he looked younger than the previous week?
She was imagining things. She had to be. They had checked the old man. He was human. Just a human. She closed her eyes as she turned her face to the sun and breathed deeply.
“I love to see you like this,” Rhys said.
“Lazy?”
“Relaxed.” He reached for her hand. “I don’t think anyone would ever call you lazy.”
“I feel like I’m going on holiday.”
“Sometimes going home can feel like that. I spend plenty of time for my work traveling. I know what you mean.”
She turned to him. “Where is home for you?”
“Ah…” He scratched his beard. “England for a long time, even though I didn’t like it much. Now Istanbul mostly feels like home. And once we’re mated, you’ll be my home.”
“A person can’t be a home, Rhys.”
“Of course they can.”
“We all need roots, and you—”
“You’re worried about me living in Udaipur because I’ve never been there. I’m telling you it won’t be a problem.”
“It’s very formal. And the level of ceremony is oppressive. And the history—”
“I know all that.” He reached for her hand again. “I know it. And when it gets oppressive, we’ll run away for a bit.”
“Are you going to be bored?”
His eyes went wide. “Heaven above, of course not. I’ve heard about the library there. I can’t even imagine being bored. What are you talking about?”
Meera smiled and brought his hand up to kiss his knuckles. “You’re perfect for me. I’d be irritated that my mother was so right, but I’m too pleased.”
“I just want the stress of all this to pass so we can get back to focusing on what we’re both after.” He steered the car toward the highway.
“Memorizing the other forty scrolls of magical congress?”
Rhys nearly swerved off the road. “You blasted woman.”
